Bukayo Saka problem shows Arsenal and Raul Sanllehi must act to avoid a repeat in 2022

Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah heading to training at London Colney in March (Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

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Amongst all the contract chaos that will ensue ahead of the 2020/21 season, Arsenal must avoid becoming narrow-minded in the players they prioritise.

Having to deal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Bukayo Saka and others, there lies a danger of forgetting about the players whose contracts expire the following summer. In particular, the younger players who may not appear to be priorities at the current point in time.

In Saka, the Gunners have proof of just how much that can hurt them. Despite being just 18-years-old, he has emerged as a standout among the first team this season, and will possibly see options other than Arsenal being best for his future as his contract runs down. Having seen many talented youngsters leave north London to soar, this must be avoided.

Fast forward to next year, however, and the cycle could well continue with Eddie Nketiah.

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Currently, we're two years removed from his contract expiring in June 2022, but as has been the case with Saka and the 2021 group, if an extension is not sorted within the final 12-18 months of his deal, interest will build from opposition clubs.

If anything, this season has proven why Arsenal's hierarchy must act sooner than later in relation to his situation. What is most impressive in Nketiah's case is that this has been a constant dating back all the way to his involvement with the first team during pre-season.

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He was given a chance and took it, scoring three goals in the four games he played in the States. Ready for first team football, he decided to " take myself out of the comfort zone" and look for a loan move - an ambitious move for a player who could easily stayed at the club as football.london reported Unai Emery wanted him to .

Although Nketiah's loan didn't go as planned, the experience seems to have been valued for the youngster. With a goals/minute ratio of 164 minutes in the Championship and 84 minutes in the Carabao Cup, he was still taking his chances when they presented themselves. Of course, not starting under Marcelo Bielsa meant he had to be recalled which Arsenal must be credited for.

From sorting out the loan to being proactive when everything went south, the way they dealt with the situation from start to finish was exemplary of the new direction the club a taking with loans, which is being headed by loan manager Ben Knapper - who arrived in Janaury 2019.

Back at Arsenal under a new regime, the task of proving himself was already familiar to Nketiah and he done so in possibly the most impressive fashion yet. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabriel Martinelli primarily used off the left, Alexandre Lacazette's form dropping and cup games around the corner, there was a chance at breaking into the first team rather than heading off on loan, and the way he trained convinced Arteta it was the right decision.

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In the short time between that game and the enforced break, Nketiah rose to the challenge ahead once again. Ready to take his chance, his goals [three in seven games] were the main thing keeping him in the side but with each passing game, the developments in his game were clear to see. Rather than just being a pure No.9. that scored goals and that's all - a perception many had when watching him in the Under-23s - Nketiah was dropping off, linking play and holding the ball up to a higher standard in each game.

Add the fact that he was more explosive than Lacazette - who has suffered from ankle injuries - and it was no surprise when Arteta finally decided to make Nketiah his first choice striker.

To think Nketiah would be leading the line for the club as soon as he was, however, would not have been foreseen by anybody. But responding setbacks and opportunities equally well, and taking those chances, the 20-year-old has grown more in the past year than he possibly thought he would.

Arsenal during the break

Keeping all this in mind, Arsenal must be aware to the parallels Nketiah and Saka's situation could have. Not in literal terms of their paths to the first team but the fact they have both evolved into great options for the side and have proven why they must be kept in and around the team.

There would be no guarantee that Nketiah would be a first choice option for the next few seasons - there would be no way to predict that - but by securing his future with the club, Arsenal would be moving very smartly. Firstly, by protecting themselves against a contract stalemate further down the line but also by ensuring that a striking option will always be there for Arteta.

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Considering he his last contract was given when Arsene Wenger was still in charge [December 2017], there is no question that Nketiah would deserve an extension, and the timing would help massively.

Of course, Arsenal still have time but in Saka, they have a warning of what happens when issues like these are left too late.

As well as time, the Gunners have many things going in their favour as far as Nketiah is concerned. His relationship with Arteta has been fruitful and being an Arsenal fan in his current situation, it would be hard to convince him anywhere else will be better for him, which is something Nketiah is already aware of.

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"Speaking to Mikel and the belief he showed in me I really did believe he would give me opportunities if I continued to work hard," Nketiah said in February.

"I think all my life that is what I have done and Arsenal are obviously a top club and I support them so I always wanted to play here so it is the best thing to have this opportunity now and I just want to keep improving and hopefully take more chances."

Arsenal just have to make sure they act in an appropriate time to avoid slipping down yet another slippery slope of contract negotiations.